Here is an update on the current situation:

Places you can go to get help:

Always call 111 if it’s an emergency and your life is in danger.

If you can make calls and need help call 105.

If you need a place to go rely on family and friends first or go to Centennial Centre, McLean Park, Latham St, Napier.

If you have pets, they are your responsibility. Take them with you if you need to leave. Make sure dogs have a lead or muzzle.
Remember to bring pet food.

People with CPAP machines can go to Wellesley Medical Centre to charge them. Alternatively, they can go to Centennial Hall Civil Defence Centre.

You can make enquiries through the HB CDEM Facebook messenger and enquiries@hbemergency.govt.nz

For emotional support reach out to your neighbours or call 1737 to talk with someone. 

The situation with Napier water:

The water in our taps is safe to drink and it is important to stay hydrated.

As power is restored in areas of Napier, it is important to continue to conserve water. The wastewater system is inundated, to relieve pressure on the system: don’t rush to flush, limit showering, do dishes by hand, and wash clothes by hand. 

Do not hose silt into driveways. This will clog the stormwater and cause flooding even in minor rain.

Getting in and out of Napier:
Do not attempt to drive in flood-affected areas as it is unsafe to do so and bow waves can cause more damage.

SH2 Expressway from Napier to Hastings has reopened for those with an essential need to travel. An essential need includes those who need to travel for essential work or to access vulnerable family members. Delay travel unless essential. We need to leave the roads clear for those who need them.

SH51 between Napier and Clive is open for emergency services and critical workers ONLY. Do not attempt to access this road, checkpoints are in place.

Public Health:

• Avoid all contact with floodwaters. Contaminated water can contain harmful sewage, toxic chemicals, and hidden debris. Do not swim, fish, collect shellfish, or let dogs near the water. It is not safe.
• Contaminated floodwaters can cause severe illness. If you do come into contact with floodwaters clean yourself and any clothing/shoes thoroughly. 
• Remember to wash and dry your hands every time you use the toilet or handle human waste. 
• Use hand sanitiser whenever possible. 
• For urgent health care, City Medical at Napier Health Centre is open 24-hours, Maraenui Medical Centre is open 10-12pm, and the Taradale Medical Centre is open 9am-midday.

What to do with your waste:
All rubbish collections have been cancelled this week. 

• Store all rubbish and recycling at your home. Do not leave it out on the street. 
• Positive progress has been made to provide rubbish and recycling services from early next week. An update will be provided this Sunday 19 February.
• Limit the number of people handling waste – nominate one family member to manage the collection and disposal of waste. 
• Dispose of all food that has come into contact with flood waters. Store spoiled food in a way that stops animals from accessing it. Cover all containers and holes to reduce smells and flies. 

What is happening with access to power and gas:
Please treat all damaged and downed lines as live, and report faults and outages at www.unison.co.nz/outages or by phoning 0800 2 UNISON (0800 2 86476). 

• Power is still out in areas of Napier and some other parts of Hawke’s Bay due to the flooding of the Redclyffe substation. 
• Unsion and Transpower have been working together to bypass the substation, this has been successfully completed. They will begin progressively restoring power to parts of Napier as soon as they can. 
• In Napier, we need to be prepared to be without power for an extended period of time.  Please be patient as crews work hard to restore power. 
• When you are reconnected to the network, conserve power to ensure there is enough for everyone. Look for every opportunity to save power: turn off air-conditioning, turn devices off at the wall rather than leaving on standby, reduce use of lights and high-consumption devices.  
• LPG gas is in good supply and home deliveries will recommence once the roads are clear. 

Finding friends and family:
If you are looking for loved ones, you can log a request via this form: https://forms.police.govt.nz/person-inquired-for or contact police on 105.

If you are communicating with people who cannot call 111 themselves, please forward information about their circumstances and location to intelligence@hbemergency.govt.nz

Place the most critical information in the subject line to assist emergency services with triaging.

If you are willing and able to volunteer to help with the recovery, please register your details with manager@volunteeringhb.org.nz

Getting access to food:
Supermarkets are up and running with generators.

More supplies will be arriving over the next few days to restock the shelves.

Only buy enough food for a few days to ensure there is enough to go around.

Buy long-life food that doesn’t need to go in the fridge or freezer.

Getting financial support:
Work and Income can provide financial support in the form of a civil defence payment.

You may qualify if you are in one of these situations because of the emergency:

You had to leave your home (e.g. you’ve been evacuated or you’re on stand-by)

You were away from your home at the time of the emergency and can’t return

You need help with food, bedding or clothing

You can’t go to work

You do not need to be receiving a benefit or income support from WINZ to be eligible for these payments.

Please go to the Work and Income website for more information or call on 0800 400 100 (call centre open 7am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Saturday, and 8am-1pm Sunday).

Council Facilities:
All Napier Council facilities will remain closed until further notice.

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